As part of the new normal for the NBA, the league is expanding active rosters to 15 players for the 2020-21 season according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The decision was ratified at the board of governors meeting this week.
Sources: Among items NBA Board of Governors are expected to approve in meeting this afternoon: Ryan Smith’s purchase of Utah Jazz, expanding active rosters to 15 on game nights, permanently adopting coaching challenge and amending several trade rules.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 17, 2020
This is a change from the NBA’s existing policy that includes 15-player rosters but only 13 active for games. As a reaction to a short offseason for playoff teams as well as the risks of teams missing players due to positive COVID tests, the league has decided to expand gameday rosters, allowing coaches to play more of their players, especially in an effort to rest key rotation pieces in garbage time.
The Lakers currently only have 14 players on the roster and likely will not fill the final spot until the trade deadline at the earliest. However, they also have two two-way players in Devontae Cacok and Kostas Antetokounmpo who could see a little more time as a result of this new rule. Each will have the ability to be active for 50 of the 72 games this season as a result to another new rule change for this season. Cacok, in particular, will likely get some opportunities as a last resort big if there are any injuries to the Lakers’ frontcourt. With the South Bay Lakers reportedly opting out of the G League restart this season, both Cacok and Antetokounmpo will be spending plenty of time with the team this year.
Other decisions made by the NBA this week include ratification of March 25th as the trade deadline for this season.
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